Cost of Disability Payment

The Cost of Disability can be defined as the amount it costs a disabled person to achieve the same standard of living as a non-disabled person. It is recognised nationally and internationally that people with disabilities incur many extra living costs as a result of their disability such as; heating, disability aids & equipment, above average medical and drug costs, care costs and above average transport costs. The Cost of Disability payments would offset these extra costs and go some way to alleviate the poverty experienced by many people with disabilities.

The Cost of Disability Payment is recommended by a number of reports and studies including the National Disability Authority’s 2004 report “Disability and the Cost of Living”, the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities and the National Economic and Social Forum.

Supported by these reports recommendations IWA called on the government in IWA’s Pre Submission Budget 07 and Election Manifesto 07 to introduce a Cost of Disability payment in the impending budget. The immediate implementation of a Cost of Disability payment for people with disabilities in receipt of social welfare payments was recommended as a first step in supporting people in meeting the extra costs incurred.